Colostrum harvesting help!

Do after a warm shower/bath or do some warm compression around breast first. Get yourself comfy and happy, watch something maybe. Look into hand expression techniques too. I found you need to give it some time. It is difficult and odd at first but you can get good information on some Instagram accounts too

I used a little formula pot to collect in then sucked up into the syringe! - massage your boobs in the shower and make sure you warm them up! Before I started I massaged them for abit and then started! X

I managed off slow, but it did pick up after a week. Keep going, couple times a day to really stimulate. Warm showers, relaxed. I collected with an egg cup. Put my boob on the edge and then did into that and manged to catch it better After 38 weeks I got a little hand express pump and used that. Lot easier and then used a syringe it out.

With my first I couldn’t harvest anything at all and was so worried and stressed! But as soon as he was born it just came flowing! Don’t stress and trust your body x

I gave birth at 36+5 and it came immediately (enough to pump in hospital because baby couldn’t latch) so I really wouldn’t stress about it too much

Honestly wouldn’t bother with the syringe at all. Have you already bought a pump? Try using your pump if so, and seeing what comes out, just using your pump will help more come in slowly. (It can also induce labour) I only did this both times (8 days post partum currently with second) the night before my planned sections. I have a ridiculous supply of breast milk to the point I over produce (but that’s just my body)

Oh my god honestly it was like getting blood from a stone for me but perseverance is key and consistency! I ended up getting 10 5ml syringes in a couple of weeks which was more than I ever thought I’d get but honestly, any amount is brilliant. It’s all so full of goodness so whatever you get is perfect 🤍

It’s gonna come’ you should probably just enjoy the time you have left before baby comes. Don’t spend it worrying or over stressing about that. Once the baby is here’ it will come and then your breast won’t even be yours anymore. Guaranteed it will come’ .. everyone’s body is different. If you see the drops it’s a good sign’ it’s in there. You may need to pump a few times.

I'm 39 + 2, and I've been trying for nearly 3 weeks, and i've not got anything. My midwife said not to worry, and I know it will come once the baby arrives. I still wanted to get some as i'm booked for a c section, so I'm a little disappointed

At our NCT class the other day they said stressing about it makes it more difficult, and whether or not you manage before baby is born has no impact on supply after! The main thing which gets it going is oxytocin so sitting in the nursery/asking your partner to help might work 😊 or try while distracted like watching TV etc to take the pressure off.

Quirt normal. I didn't produce any before baby. When your placenta detaches a chemical is released that starts the process. Which is why if you try to harvest too soon it can cause labour

I did mine in the bath when i was most relaxed and managed to get loads. But, even if you get nothing at all dont disheartened some women dont get any and go on to have an over supply

I couldn’t get anything by hand, my midwife okayed me to try a hand pump and it worked a treat!

I think some can collect and some struggle but regardless it doesn’t alter your flow after 🙂 I managed to get loads very early on BUT struggled to breastfeed so it really doesn’t signify. I did all the hard work and husband then lost it all when he left the freezer door open 👀 GUTTED! Anyway, It started really slowly for me when collecting… I had to massage for a good while and I found that some areas i pressed gave a better result. Just keep trying and also try not to put pressure on yourself 😃 If/when more comes out it’s easier to collect in the syringe as it comes out quicker 🙂

Thank you all for your comments it has really helped settle my mind! I will keep trying 🙂

I used to let it drip onto a clean spoon then suck it up into syringe. I found it made it easier leaning over the spoon and massaging/squeezing it out. I did really feel like a cow being milked but it gave my partner a little chuckle!

I wasn’t squeezing close enough to the nipple and didn’t manage to produce any. It was when I went into hospital they said that my anatomy was slightly different than textbook so as soon as I squeezed closer to the nipple it came out. Try different depths. It’s also easier to do with 2 people. My husband scooped it up while I squeezed my breast and massaged. No matter what you produce the act of massaging and squeezing will help your milk come in when you have the baby.